Real Life Solutions

Halloween is an exciting night for children and a busy time for their parents. With such excitement, it’s easy for children to forget basic safety rules.When emotions are running high, it’s a good time to remember to “use your head.” Plan ahead and plan to have a safe Halloween. Raise safety awareness with your family before the festivities begin.We do the right thing, but we don’t always explain it to children. As you place a saucer under each tea light, or “stop, look and listen” at street corners and in parking lots, tell your child why. They don’t always connect the dots unless you point it out.

Here are some Halloween Safety Tips to keep in mind:

1. Stay sober and alert: It’s amazing how many family Halloween celebrations involve adults drinking. It’s impossible to monitor children’s safety or your own when you’ve had too much to drink, so don’t.

2. Avoid cuts and burns when decorating: Carving the pumpkin, placing luminaria in the driveway, and hanging spooky skeletons all present opportunities for injury. If you’re decorating with candles, observe fires safety. Have a good fire extinguisher handy and make sure everyone knows where it is.

3. Observe ladder safety regulations: According to the NASD, accidents involving ladders cause an estimated 300 death a year in the US, and 130,000 injuries requiring medical attention. Review ladder safety rules and observe them.

4. Make sure “treats” aren’t “tricks.”:Many people these days choose to go to fairs or private parties instead of trick or treating for safety reasons. If your child is going trick or treating, go with them. Make it a rule that nothing is to be eaten until it’s first been inspected by you.

5. Caution your child about strangers and dogs:Keep your children with you and remind them to avoid people and dogs they don’t know. Many people are taking their dog companions out in costume these days, and even the most gentle of family pets can do something unexpected with all the excitement.

6. Accidental fallsis the number one cause of injuries on Halloween night (National Safety Council). Choose your child’s costume with this in mind. Hem up the hemlines. If you choose a mask, choose one that doesn’t obstruct sight. Stay sober and observe safety rules when decorating.

7. Four times more children are killedin pedestrian/automobile accidents on Halloween night than on any other night of the year.

The CDC suggests these factors make it a high risk: short stature, inability to react quickly enough to avoid a car or evaluate a potential traffic threat, lack of impulse control, and all the exciting distractions.

8. The holiday syndrome: The excitement, more candy, more parties, less sleep, less nutritious food, and getting off schedule all mean less attentiveness and also possibly illness. Keep routines as normal as you can.

9. Choose safe and sensible costumes:Choose fire retardant costumes that allow children free movement and good visibility. Be careful about accessories. Even toy knives and swords can cause harm. Give each child a flashlight.

10. Set a good example:Show that you care about safety and make it a top priority.

Visit Real Life Solutions!  It is your resource for all of your Holiday planning needs. We provide articles and products that will enable you enjoy stress free holiday planning.

As a working woman with children, a husband who works in the building trades, and a father with Alzheimer’s, I am very concerned about environmental contaminants.

There has been growing evidence in the form of scientific studies that warn about contaminated food and the possible health risks. My father is one of thirteen children and the only one in his family to have developed a dementia type disease. Did he get exposed to something that his brothers and sisters didn’t? Or was it genetic? They know so little about dementia, but it just seems a bit coincidental that as the percentage of people developing dementia and cancer are increasing so is the quantity and variety of toxins that are being created and released into our environment. Hmmm……

What do we mean by “the environment”?

The environment is everything around you, indoors and outdoors. The air you breathe, the water you drink, the ground you walk on, and the food you eat are all part of your environment. It’s important that you know what things in the environment can affect your health and what you can do to protect yourself and your family now and over your lifetime.

How the environment affects your health

Chemicals are released into the environment in a variety of ways. Manufacturing plants have often been blamed as the primary culprit releasing chemicals in the form of waste products into water supplies and the air. However, individual homeowners can release lead into the soil from scraping old house paint, or by pouring oil from a car into the road drain. Today, scientists are measuring abnormalities in fish and amphibians that seem to be caused by an increasing amount of pharmaceuticals being flushed down the toilet, thus entering the water supply.

Women

Environmental toxins play a role in conditions such as breast cancer, endometriosis, and menopause. Pregnant or nursing mothers can have increased risks for miscarriage, preterm birth and birth defects. Pollutants in the environment can contribute and aggravate symptoms of cardiovascular and lung disease, including high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma in older woman. Long term exposure may cause cancer and dementia. Click here for a list of top 7 threat’s to women’s health.

Children 

Many types of exposures are more harmful for children than for adults. There are many reasons for this, some are:

• Relative to their body weight, children eat, breathe and drink more than adults do. So children take in higher concentrations of any toxins in food, water, or air.
• As organs develop, they are more likely to be damaged by exposure to toxins.
• The ways that toxins are removed from the body are not fully developed in children.
• Children spend more time outdoors, where they may be exposed to outdoor air pollution and ultraviolet radiation.
• Children do more intense physical activity, causing them to breathe air pollutants more deeply into their lungs.
• Young children tend to put their hands, dirt and other objects into their mouths.

Men

Men more often are exposed to work related environmental toxins from the labor trades or from around the home. Lead and VOC in paint, pesticides from lawn care, or asbestos and other air quality pollutants can cause men to be prone to lung cancer. Excess sun exposure can lead to skin cancer. Prostate cancer and colorectal cancer, stroke and diabetes are among the top 7 threats to men’s health.

There are habits that you can change to reduce your risks from environmental hazards.

Theresa Dansin is the webmaster at www.greenchoicesforyou.com.  She shares news, information and recommendations on how to go green todayin order to encourage environmentally friendly families for tomorrow.

Many people get discoraged when the seasons change and they quickly look around for some quick indoor herb garden tips that they can use so that they don’t miss out on the taste of fresh herbs when the seasons change.

Don’t despair if you want a nice herb garden but you don’t have the time and space for a big garden plot. Many herbs are hardy and easy to grow in containers, so you can make your own indoor herb garden. Tips like the ones I have included below will help to supply  you with herbs for cooking, tea, and crafts; your indoor herb garden will beautify your home and enhance the indoor air quality.

Here are some indoor herb garden tips on how to get started.

1. Choose Your Spot — Bear in mind that most herbs enjoy sunshine, at least three to four hours a day. So a sunny spot is ideal. If you don’t have a sunny spot, don’t worry – you can choose shade-tolerant herbs and/or rig up a fluorescent light to augment the light from your window(s).

If you like, you can purchase or make a rack or open shelf for your herbs, which can come in especially handy if you need to move your garden from one sunny window to another. Make sure you have a rubber tub or other protection under whatever set-up you choose, so that the floor, table, and so forth won’t get doused with water when you give your garden a drink.

2. Choose Your Herbs

Herbs that grow well in pots include the following:

• Parsley (can tolerate some shade)
• Lemon balm (shade-tolerant)
• Mints (shade-tolerant)
• Basil (sun-loving)
• Thyme (sun-loving)
• Chives (can tolerate some shade)
• Oregano (can tolerate some shade)

There are others, too. When you go to buy your plants from a local nursery, you can ask them what other herbs do well indoors.

3. Choose Your Containers – Herbs are usually not too picky, but it pays to know something about the root structure of the herbs you want to grow.  Thyme, for instance, has a much shallower root system than lemon balm. So choose your containers based on the growth habits of the herbs. Just make sure every container has adequate drainage. And when in doubt, err on the size of size – it’s better to have a pot that seems too big than one that’s too small. 

4. Plant Your Herbs -  Once you have your plants home, you’ll want to plant them in the containers you’ve chosen. Place potting soil into the bottom of each container, then set the herb carefully down into the pot and fill the rest of the space with soil. Water thoroughly after planting, and keep the herbs out of direct sun for a day or two. Then put them in their sunny spot and watch them grow!

All of the above indoor herb garden tips will help to keep your house beautiful and smelling lovely year round and you can also get the benefit of tasting your home grown herbs even during the winter months.

Here are some easy tips that you can use to help to include more whole grains snacks for kids into your childs diet

(ARA) - Parents want the best nutrition for their children, but there is often a struggle between making healthy choices and pleasing children’s palates. Whole grains are critical for maintaining children’s health, but research shows most kids are eating far less than is recommended. The good news is that there are plenty of creative ways to resolve this nutritional dilemma by incorporating whole grain snacks for kids and whole grain meals throughout the day.

How deprived are our children?

Young people are consuming less than one serving of whole grains per day, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. The USDA Dietary Guidelines recommend consuming at least three or more servings of whole grain per day. A recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that children who consume the most servings of whole grains have higher nutrient intake and better diets overall.

What exactly are whole grains?

Grains are divided into two subgroups: whole grains and refined grains. Whole grains contain the entire grain kernel. Because whole grains haven’t been refined, they contain higher levels of dietary fiber, iron and B vitamins. Any food made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley or another cereal grain is a grain product. Bread, pasta, oatmeal, breakfast cereals, tortillas and grits are examples. By eating whole grain varieties of these foods, you’ll give yourself and your children better nutrition.

What are easy ways to eat whole grains every day?

1. Make it a whole grain breakfast. The morning may be the easiest time to begin integrating whole grains into your family’s diets because many breakfast foods are available in whole grain options. Choose ready-to-eat breakfast cereals containing whole grains, including whole wheat cereal flakes, muesli and rolled oats. Choose whole grain bread for satisfying and tasty morning toast. Tip for parents of picky eaters: If your kids want a bit more sweetness with their whole grain breakfast, offer dried fruits to add to cereal and real fruit jam as a topping on toast.

2. Read labels. Foods labeled multi-grain, stone-ground, 100 percent wheat, cracked wheat, seven-grain or bran may not contain any whole grain. Tip for reading food labels: Check the label for fiber content. A product containing 10 to 19 percent of the daily recommended value of fiber is a good source of whole grains.

3. Stock whole grain snacks for kids. Choose snacks that contain whole grains, such as Lance Whole Grain Peanut Butter or Cheese Sandwich Crackers, which contain more than 8 grams of whole grain per serving and offer 12 percent of the recommended daily value of fiber. Visit www.Facebook.com/LanceSnacks to learn more. Tip for choosing sensible snacks: Look for products that contain zero grams trans fat, no preservatives and no high fructose corn syrup, such as Lance Sandwich Crackers.

4. Add whole grains to your dinner plate with a side dish. Don’t be afraid to get creative and have fun – add vegetables and seasoning to brown rice, quinoa or whole grain couscous for a tasty alternative to potato or pasta salad. The colorful creations make eating whole grain side dishes fun for kids of all ages. Tip for busy parents: Cook up extra rice, bulgur or barley when you have time and freeze it for use later as a quick side dish.

5. Set a good example. Say goodbye to the old food pyramid as the new diet recommendations from the USDA follow a circular icon known as MyPlate. Part of this change includes the recommendation that half of all the grains we eat should be whole grain. Kids will follow your lead; make sure that you eat whole grains often as part of your meals and snacks. Plus, research shows people who eat whole grains as part of a healthy diet have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases – so mom and dad can live healthier as well. Tip for learning more about MyPlate: If you’re still unsure about the new USDA MyPlate guidelines,visit www.choosemyplate.gov for tips and tools.

Eating whole grains benefits everyone’s diet, and with these tips, you can easily integrate whole grains into your family’s snacks and meals while enjoying delicious and healthy results. Using 1 or more of the tips above will help you to add more whole grain snacks for kids into their diet.

As you can see there are some  low fat fast food options available to you when you are in a hurry to eat but also want to make healthy choices.  Also be sure to visit Meal Planning Central for a free meal planning report.

Yes, there are some low fat fast food options out there.  I know…  when you think of “fast food,” it’s probably not in connection with healthy eating.  However, it is possible to make healthy food quickly at home, and there are also healthy choices your teen can make at fast food restaurants.

Here are some low fat fast food options that you can incorporate into your diet.

Pizza – Yes, pizza can be a healthy, fast meal. If you make your own crust, choose a healthy, whole wheat recipe and freeze the extra dough. Then you can thaw out the dough (or buy a ready-made whole wheat crust) and add healthy toppings – just leave off the fatty meats like pepperoni and sausage, and cut back on cheese.   Pizzas only need to bake for 10 minutes or so at 500 degrees F, making them a pretty fast option.

Some low fat fast food option toppings for pizza:

• Garlic, spinach, mozzarella and Parmesan
• Tomatoes, onions, olives and bell peppers
• Mushrooms, onions and banana pepper rings
• Green olives, garlic, onion, and bell pepper
• Fresh tomatoes, minced basil, and mozzarella

Veggie Burgers - This is another great  low fat fast food option.  You can make these patties ahead and freeze them (black bean burgers freeze well) or buy ready-made veggie burgers. Then you can pull them out of the freezer and heat them in a skillet with a little olive oil and they’re ready to eat in a matter of minutes. Serve these as you would traditional burgers, but make sure you use a whole grain bun (or no bun at all).

Fish Sticks  – Pre-packaged, frozen fish sticks are notoriously high in fat and salt (and who knows what else). Keep some mild white fish, such as tilapia, on hand and slice the fillets into strips to make your own fish sticks. Toss the fish with lemon juice, then dip the pieces in whole wheat flour, a mixture of 1 beaten egg and 3/4 cup plain yogurt, and whole wheat bread crumbs or panko. Then bake on a parchment paper-covered cookie sheet for about 12 minutes at 425 degrees F.

As you can see there are some  low fat fast food options available to you when you are in a hurry to eat but also want to make healthy choices.  Also be sure to visit Meal Planning Central for a free meal planning report.

You’ve come to the right page if you are looking for some great fall gardening ideas!  While things are winding down in the fall, there are still some gardening tips and strategies that you can employ.   You can add some color and life to your garden, and prepare it for winter. Depending on where you live, fall can be a busy time in the garden.

Here are some Fall gardening ideas that you can use: 

Color  – Fall is a colorful season, and you can add some of that color to your garden this time of year. Chrysanthemums (mums) come in a variety of yellows, bronzes, reds, and purples. Fall is the time to plant these and take advantage of the season’s colors. It’s worth noting, however, that mums will return each year – they’re perennials.  So take that into consideration as you decide on their placement in your garden.

Get the Weeds before They Seed – Fall is the time when many weeds go to seed, sending the makings of next year’s invasion all over your yard. Thankfully, fall can be a rainy time, and wet soil is easier to pull or hoe weeds out of than dry soil. You’ll thank yourself next spring when the weeds are fewer.

Another word about weed control in the fall – you can lay down several layers of newspaper on your garden once the plants are spent. Anchor the newspapers with rocks or soil and, by the time spring arrives, the weeds will have been deprived of the light and air they need to sprout. The newspaper will decompose and can be tilled into the soil to enrich it, and another layer applied in the spring before planting (poke holes in the newspaper layer to plant).

Pests’ Hiding Places – Remove the dead leaves and spent plants from your garden before winter sets in. Many invasive and annoying pests overwinter beneath leaves, boards, tools, and anything else left lying on the ground.

However, some gardeners like to leave a layer of autumn leaves on their garden to act as a mulch and compost in one. So depending on what kind of pests you have in your area and how cold it gets, leaving the leaves may work for you.

Plant Bulbs -  There are a variety of bulbs that need to be planted in the fall. If you grow garlic, it will need to be put into the garden in the fall. Flowers like hyacinths and daffodils are typically planted in the fall so they can complete their growth cycle in time to come up in spring. 

Trees and Shrubs -   When thinking of Fall gardenging ideas, don’t forget about those shrubs.  Now is a good time to prune back trees and shrubs, including shrub roses. It’s also a good time to plant them. In the fall, trees and shrubs are in a dormant state, and the planting and pruning are less shocking to the plant.

As you can see from the above Fall gardening ideas, there are many things that you can do to your yard to add some beauty and color for the Fall season.

Although from time to tims, we all have trouble drifting off to sleep, it can cause more stress for some than others.   Insomnia is one of the most common medical complaints, according to the Mayo Clinic.  There are many causes of Insomnia in adults and insomnia occurs when you regularly have a problem either getting to sleep, or staying asleep long enough to feel refreshed when you wake up in the morning.

Although you might assume insomnia is just an unlucky condition in itself, it’s usually a symptom of something else. This is why it’s vital you understand the causes of insomnia and visit a doctor to rule out something more serious.

 Causes Of Insomnia In Adults

1) Stress

One of the most common causes of insomnia in aduts is stress!  We’ve all probably experienced short term stress-related insomnia at some point in our lives. You just can’t get to sleep as you have a thousand thoughts and worries running through your mind. For some, however, the insomnia stays even when the stress has gone. Some people learn to associate their bed or trying to get to sleep with being stressed or feeling “awake”.

 2) Anxiety And Other Mental Health Issues

Anxiety disorders will often leave people staying awake at night, either due to physical or mental symptoms. Other causes of insomnia include depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and others. Treatment of the underlying condition will often help with the insomnia.

 3) Medication

On of the most overlooked causes of insomnia in adults is medication.  Believe it or not, even sleep medication can be one of the causes of insomnia once we become dependent on using it. However, there are a whole range of other prescription medications that can make a difference – from antidepressants to hormone treatments and high blood pressure medication. It’s always a good idea to discuss any medication with your doctor to make sure it’s not the cause of your sleepless nights.

 4) Underlying Conditions

There are a whole host of physical conditions known to be causes of insomnia. This is why you shouldn’t just assume it’s in your head and that you can treat yourself. It could be a sign of something more serious, so take the time out to visit your doctor to rule other problems out.

5) Drugs

Lastly, we all know that stimulants such as caffeine can keep us awake. But you may not realize that alcohol also negatively effects sleep, despite the fact that we initially feel sleepy and relaxed when we drink it. You should try to avoid these drinks before bedtime if you want to have the best sleep possible.

Remember, although you may recognize one of these causes of insomnia in adults instantly, it’s still vital that you talk to your doctor before diagnosing yourself.

Natural Health Secrets – Classic natural health eBooks help people lose weight, gain energy, reduce pain, improve memory, detox, etc

If you need some time out and don’t have the money to splurge on getting away, why not make your own spa day at home?

More and more people are enjoying staycations and saving money by taking time off but staying at home (or very close to it).   Maybe you think that there’s no way you could afford a spa day or you could never seem to make take the time off and commit to ‘spoiling’ yourself.

There is a way to make your own spa day at home. It takes less time and money than a day at a professional spa. You just have to plan for it.  Here are some ideas on how to create this special day for yourself.

1. Arrange for Child Care

Of course you love your children; but to have a day that’s really your own (where you’re not wiping noses and fixing meals and cleaning messes), and to make your own spa day at home truly relaxing, you will need to arrange for someone to take you child or children for a good part of the day. Even a few hours is long enough for some spa pampering.

2. Gather Your Supplies

For a spa day at home, you’ll need some basic items. Here is a list to help you get started:

• Bathrobe
• Towels
• Slippers
• Candles
• Healthy snacks and meals (nothing ruins a healthy spa day like getting hungry and going for the chips because you don’t have any healthy foods prepared)
• Relaxing music
• Facial mask of your choice, homemade or store-bought
• Pumice stone
• Pedicure and manicure supplies, such as nail clippers, files, polish, cuticle remover, nail soak or oil, etc.
• Relaxing herbal teas
• Body lotion or oil
• Deep hair conditioner

3. Enjoy Your own Spa Day at Home

Once you have things planned and your supplies ready, you can settle in to your spa day. Here are some suggestions for how to make it happen.

• Exercise – Before you begin, do some light exercise and take a shower. Then you’ll be energized and relaxed at the same time, and your skin will be clean and ready for treatment. Use lotion or oil on your skin after your shower.
• Create the environment – Turn off the phone and electronic devices. Make the lighting fit your taste; if you like natural sunlight and fresh air, open doors and windows. Or you might prefer dim lighting with candles. Put on the music you’d like.
• Apply hair treatment – If you’re doing deep conditioning, you can take advantage of your hair still being damp from your shower. Work the conditioner in and wrap a towel around your head while it works.
•  Apply your face mask – While you’re letting the mask and conditioner do their work, lie down on the couch and eat some healthy foods like fruit.
• Do your nails and give yourself a pedicure - After you’ve rinsed your hair and face, it’s time for your nails. Work on your calluses with the pumice stone, and treat yourself to a home pedicure and manicure.

So, what are you waiting for?  Why not make your own spa day at home and treat yourself to a relaxing day.

Have you tried creams and ointments for your skin but not getting the results you want? It’s an old saying that beauty comes from the inside. It’s actually true. It starts with your diet. You need to add these top 10 foods for healthy skin into your diet and watch your skin begin to glow.

Top 10 Foods For Healthy Skin

Green tea is great for your skin’s healthy appearance and helps fight some forms of skin cancer. It contains antioxidants and catechins. Try adding 2 cups per day to your diet. Green tea is low in caffeine and shouldn’t cause the jitters like coffee can.

Orange tuberous vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots and butternut squash contain beta-carotene. This nutrient is converted into retinol. Many beauty treatments contain retinol. You can save yourself some money by eating foods for healthy skin and getting healthy from the inside out.

Soy foods are another great compound for healthy skin. You can opt for edamame, also known as soy pods, or you can have soy milk and tofu.  Soy products help with inflammation and protect the breakdown of collagen.

Tomatoes help protect against sun damage and other harmful things in the environment. The key to the tomato’s health benefits is lycopene, an antioxidant that promotes healthy skin.

Spinach is another food that really packs a punch of health benefits. It can help fight inflammation and free radicals while keeping your eyes healthy. It’s also a good source of vitamin A, which helps skin cell turnover by generating healthy skin cells on a regular basis. Spinach and other leafy vegetables like kale and collard greens help keep skin firm and resilient.

Tip=> Have a salad full of spinach and kale with tomatoes and tofu for great skin health.

Tasty Treats for Healthy Skin

Kiwi fruits are full of vitamin C, which is a powerhouse of nutrition packed in one fruit. It helps repair cellular DNA, helps with the production and synthesis of collagen and it’s also great for your blood vessels and hair follicles.
One Kiwi fruit has almost all of the daily requirements for vitamin C, but it’s low in calories.

Dark chocolate has a lot of misinformation behind it. It was once blamed for skin breakouts but studies have shown that it’s actually good for you and your skin.
It contains a generous amount of flavonoids, which help protect against the sun. It also helps with blood flow which keeps your skin nourished.

The pomegranate has always had a certain mystic appeal about it. Not only is it an odd type of fruit but it’s also prominent in Greek mythology.  In reality it’s full of antioxidants which help in the fight against free radicals. It’s also full of vitamin C, and enhancer to the production of collagen.  If the pomegranate doesn’t suit your taste then opt for blueberries instead. They have the same benefits as the pomegranate.

Add an ounce of walnuts to your salads or dessert for a crunchy treat that promotes healthy skin. Walnuts also contain benefits for hair, eyes and bones. They are full of vitamin E and omega 3 fatty acids.
Not fond of walnuts? You can get the same benefits from pistachios, almonds and hazelnuts.

Yogurt is another great food for healthy skin. Plain yogurt contains zinc, which is beneficial for helping with inflammation and other conditions such as rosacea. Zinc also promotes skin regeneration.

Tip=> Add a combination of the treats mentioned above to your daily cup of yogurt. You can have blueberries and chocolate bits one day, kiwi fruit the next. Top each cup off with some chopped nuts. It’s a delicious way to have glowing skin.

Great skin doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Try adding these  top 10 foods for healthy skin to get benefits from the inside out. And don’t forget, treating yourself to some delicious snacks is like getting a two for one deal.

Additional Healthy Living and eating Resources:

HealthFitCounter- This handheld nutrition and diet device can be used as a calorie calculator with any dietary program and can be customized to fit any individual’s specific diet needs.

The Weight Loss Diet eBook – The Original Negative Calorie Foods eBook. Try negative calorie foods & diet to lose that extra fat to attain a slim & fit body. This will ensure a healthy, happy and long life.

Get Fit While You Sit – 36 Exercises you can do almost anywhere, anytime.

Step by Step Cellulite Reduction Plan – An Easy to Understand, Step by Step Cellulite Reduction Plan That Will Have You Saying Goodbye to Cottage Cheese Thighs and Hello to Sexy, Slimmer Legs!”.

Natural Health Secrets – Classic natural health eBooks help people lose weight, gain energy, reduce pain, improve memory, detox, etc